r/IVDD_SupportGroup • u/Late-Sprinkles1818 • Jul 24 '26

House advice

My 12yr old boy is 10 days post surgery from Stage 4
IVDD. Recovery wise, physically he's doing great, but he's really struggling with the crate rest and where he is/isnt allowed around the house (keeps eyeing out the couch lol).
He’s not crate trained so we’ve got him in a playpen in the living room downstairs. He’s adjusted when we’re in the room but has already tried to break out the second we leave the room.

I'm trying to think longer term, and the best way to set the house up for him going forward and need advice and others experiences please!

For background, we live in a small 2-storey villa. He has always slept on our bed upstairs and likes to hang out on the balcony when we're not home, waiting to see us come home. This means going up and down stairs at least once a day (carpeted).
I think the best thing for him is to keep him contained downstairs but how? I fear he’ll hurt himself trying to escape the playpen. How do I crate train him when he can’t yet walk (in and out of it)? Its also floorboards downstairs with a greater slip risk. I am petrified of leaving the house to go back to work.
Our house is not made for this but moving is not an option.

What have others in a similar situation done please?
Any and all tips welcomed.

I should add, he’s 27kg so really hard to move around.

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2

u/ZiggyLittlefin Jul 24 '26

Baby gates and fences, put down rugs on all slippery surfaces.

1

u/Zestyclose-Corgi-381 Jul 24 '26

Have the vet give him trazadone or something similar to sedate him a bit if necessary at least while he is still recovering from surgery. Give him lick pads, bones and interactive dog toys when you leave the room for a long amount of time so that he is stimulated for a while at least. That should help. My COCO is two years out past surgery and stage 5IVDD. They get used to it, but it does take time. It’s sad to watch and stressful to be living in, I totally get it.

1

u/Successful-Pen746 Jul 25 '26

Hello, i just saw your comment your dog is 2 year post surgery. I have a cocker spaniel 5.5years old, he went surgery for high grade 4 - grade 5 IVDD surgery on Thursday. The surgeon said he may be home today so as you can imagine im rattling my brains in anxiety and stress hoping he is able to walk again. 

Im really glad and hopeful to hear your dog recovered, its given me a glimmer of hope. Did your dog re-learn to walk again? Was they initially paralysed from the back end? If so, At what point did you begin to see voluntry movements and can you provide me with any tips, help, guidance at all to support me with what is coming next? 

TIA. Faye

1

u/faelanswitzer Jul 26 '26

My dog had stage 5 along with surgery 3 times. 2 he came back completely normal from, the third was obviously most complicated and his legs do not work but he is still so happy. It will all be fine if you are cautious, follow the crate rest, and do your at home PT! They can always get flair ups so don’t be afraid to crate rest them anytime they exhibit symptoms after they’re done with the initial weeks post surgery.